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Reviewed by Alija Turkovic for Readers' Favorite
Mark Binder’s The Worst centers on an ordinary eighth-grader who navigates the awkward world of a small New England middle school along with his tight-knit group of friends. Calling themselves Team Bomb Shelter, these clever middle schoolers use an ironic scale to rank their daily misadventures, from a disastrous camp dance to the winter’s epic snowball fights. Our narrator considers himself just a regular kid who is surrounded by geniuses, but his group’s wild antics always keep him right in the middle of the action. Their routine of dodging the science teacher’s bad temper and planning a talent show act gets upended when a huge winter storm extends the school year. On that strange day, an armed high schooler enters the building and suddenly derails their academic schedule. Will the collective bravery of this unique group of friends be enough to save their school from a major crisis?
Mark Binder’s The Worst is a captivating young adult novel that treats the triumphs and tribulations of middle school with complete respect. Right from the beginning, Binder’s storytelling style makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire listening to the counselor share old memories about his adventurous middle school exploits. The storyline is fast-paced, building a lively picture of suburban childhood through hilarious events like a basement lockdown and the students' microphone prank. The character development is nicely done, showing how each member of the group brings a unique personality that truly balances the others. Instead of focusing on just one hero, the story highlights the group’s collective growth in which artists, science buffs, and athletes all find their specific roles. Watching these distinct personalities merge over the school year makes the entire group feel realistic and memorable. Binder truly hits his stride when depicting just how deep teenage loyalty can run. Overall, the book captures a beautiful sense of community that keeps the reader smiling through the lighter chapters and leaning in close during the intense final moments. It’s a wonderful, heartwarming tribute to old-school friendship. Very highly recommended.
